Rossville Downtown Development Authority Chairman Ron Wade reached out in "the most gentle way I can" to the nonprofit running the John Ross House and called for an end to the bickering.

Wade called a press conference this morning at the house, Northwest Georgia's oldest building, in response to claims made by John Ross House Association members during a paid TV special last week.

"We need to develop the idea about don't criticize but energize," Wade told members of the media.

The controversy boiled over when the John Ross House Association asked the RDDA if they could hold a festival at the historic site.

The festival was denied because there was a dispute over the insurance coverage on the site.

Larry Rose, who runs the nonprofit operating the house, had said the association had adequate coverage but city leaders said the arrangement left the city open for lawsuits if anyone was injured at the house or fell into the pond.

The house, which was built in the early 1800s, was the home of the Cherokee Chief John Ross, the namesake for Rossville and Ross's Landing.